Ayam Cemani

 

Ayam("Chicken" in indonesian) cemani("Completely black" in Javanese) is an uncommon and relatively modern breed of chicken originating from the island of Java, Indonesia. There it was probably in use for centuries and used for religious and mystic rites.

 

The birds are completely black: black plumage with a greenish shine, black legs and toe nails, black beak and tongue, black comb and wattles; even their meat, bones and organs appear black. The blood of the ayam cemani is normal (though it is remarkably dark). The birds black colour occurs as a result of excess pigmentation of the tissues, caused by a genetic condition known as fibromelanosis. The roosters weigh 2-2.5 kg and the hens from 1.5-2 kg. The hens lay cream-colored eggs, although they are poor setters and rarely hatch their own brood. They lay around 100 eggs per year and they weigh an average of 45 g.